5 PR mistakes entrepreneurs should avoid

Whether an entrepreneur has hired a PR firm or communications director or they are attempting to do public relations on their own, there are a few key mistakes that they make time and again, preventing them from ever getting covered and their publicist or communication director from doing the job they are paid for.

Despite protests from the people who work for them, many entrepreneurs simply insist on doing things their own way, thereby getting in their own way. Here are five big mistakes they can make:

1. Attempting to treat reporters, editors and producers like staff. Many entrepreneurs expect to be able to make the same demands on the media that they do on their staff, from how many links to their website they feel should be included to trying to control the interview questions. It is important for entrepreneurs to keep in mind that the media is doing them a favor, not the other way around. Related: Are You Ready for a PR Firm?

Do not ask for questions in advance (know your topic), advise them on which questions they may and may not ask you or commit any of the other myriad of sins that entrepreneurs make when they confuse being controlling with controlling the message.